The Grass in Madison Square
This poem is a tribute to the beauty of nature and the fleeting nature of life. It describes a scene where a person lies down on the grass in Madison Square, surrounded by the hustle and bustle of city life. The speaker reflects on how the grass remains untouched despite the chaos around it, symbolizing the enduring power of nature. The poem explores themes of mortality, impermanence, and the human condition. It suggests that even in the midst of urbanization and modernity, there is a deep connection to the natural world that cannot be ignored or destroyed. Through its use of imagery and symbolism, the poem invites the reader to contemplate their own place within the natural world and the fleeting nature of life.
By Joyce Kilmer · First published 1914 · Genre: Poetry, Nature, Philosophical · 111 words
First lines
The pleasant turf is dried and marred and seared, The grass is dead. No soft green shoot, by rain and sunshine reared, Lifts up its head.
I think the grass that made the park so gay In early spring Now decks the lawns of Heaven where babies play And dance and sing.
And poor old vagabonds who now have left The dusty street, Find fields of which they were in life bereft, Beneath their feet.
What this Textopian page supports
The Grass in Madison Square is listed on Textopian as a poem by Joyce Kilmer, dated 1914 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Poem
- Author: Joyce Kilmer
- Date: 1914 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Nature, Philosophical, Lyrical, Elegy
- Length: 111 words
- Structure: 1 section, 3 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Very Easy (5th Grade or below)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Grass in Madison Square by Joyce Kilmer
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
- Passage-specific claims should cite the exact /read/ URL for the relevant chapter or paragraph
Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering The Grass in Madison Square?
- How does this poem by Joyce Kilmer fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Poetry first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
- The Aim Was Song by Robert Frost
- Epilogue by Madison Cawein
- Kennst Du Das Land by Madison Cawein
- The Hunter by William Carlos Williams
- The Little Hill by Edna St Vincent Millay
- Decay by Georgia Douglas Johnson
Genres
- Poetry — The work is written in verse, employing rhythm and imagery typical of poetic expression.
- Nature — The themes revolve around grass and nature, reflecting on life and death through natural imagery.
- Philosophical — The text explores deeper themes of existence, loss, and the afterlife, prompting reflection on human experience.
- Lyrical — The emotional tone and personal voice convey feelings and thoughts, characteristic of lyrical poetry.
Tags
Poetry · Nature · Symbolism · Imagery · Metaphor · Allegory · American Literature · 20th Century Literature · Free Verse · Stream-of-Consciousness · Realism · Regionalism